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The Other Happiest Place on Earth

[additional-authors]
December 21, 2015

I frantically tried to squeeze my car into the potentially too small space in order to get to my dance class on time. I still had to change my clothes and was beginning to wonder if I should just go home, but just as I managed to park, a young woman leaving the studio caught my eye. Her smile shone through the night, like a tiny star of assurance saying, “I just left my great dance class, and I see you’re rushing to get to yours but don’t you worry, it’ll all be worth it.”

She was right. I love the Monday night Broadway Dance class at YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD STUDIO in Culver City. As Tor Campbell, our teacher, ran in with his own HUGE show stopping smile, I loved it even more. He dove into the warm-up while clutching his white hanky, and I remembered the one time he forget this idiosyncratic-security blanket- dance -clutch object and he seemed all out of sorts. But here he was, encouraging us to Ease On Down the Road with him, and all all worries truly were left behind.

My childhood was all about the music and movements of Broadway. I didn’t have what it took to be any kind of ballerina, but the role of perky hoofer belting out a tune was my happy place. I left that world slightly accidentally and now, some many years later, I find myself wandering back.

I don’t go regularly, and I don’t go to any other class. Hip hop, burlesque, yoga booty, and their other offerings sound fun , and people look deeply thrilled as I watch them, but it is Tor and his music that keep me coming back.

Sometimes I find a tear or two escape my eyes, a sort of unconscious musing as to what might have been. Sometimes too I just have to sit out a second as my rusty ability to retain choreography embarrasses me. Most of the time, however, you cannot wipe the smile from my face as I move through the cobwebs of my adulthood and release into the time and space of my youth.

Tor smiles and encourages us, and seems to delight in his own connection to these miracles. Hs is so at home in this world, and his skill wows me each session. The students high five and compliment each other. I always smile but leave rather quickly. This time, I smile and make eye contact with everyone in the cramped hallway as they await their class. Then I catch the gaze of the woman rushing in. She is hoping not to be late, and I try to calm her with my smile, saying, “I just left my great dance class, and I see you’re rushing to get to yours but don’t you worry, it’ll all be worth it.”

Whatever you can do to move your body and get to a place of child like release, do it.

See you this week, MONDAY AND WEDNESDAY 8:30 AM AND 6:30 PM and then let me know your preference of times! Those who write back first, will get first dibs! in appreciation, Michelle

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